Taylah Law

Taylah Law, a Sociology BA and MA graduate from Kent, is currently pursuing her PhD on voluntary activity in small rural primary schools. After initially facing setbacks, including a failed funding application, she gained valuable experience as a teaching assistant during COVID. This led to her securing PhD funding in 2021. 

Alongside her research, Taylah has been actively involved in outreach work and will soon begin a new role as Pre-16 Outreach and Widening Participation Co-ordinator at Kent.

 
Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After my undergraduate degree, I went straight into my Masters in Sociology at Kent in 2019. I applied for PhD funding during my Masters. In March 2020, COVID hit and I had to finish my Masters, including my dissertation from home. I also found out my PhD funding application had not been successful - they said I did not have enough experience in primary schools (where I planned for my PhD research to be based). Whilst I was upset, I started applying for teaching assistant jobs and was incredibly lucky to be offered a position a 2 minute walk from my house! Working in a school during COVID was challenging, as was being made a 1:1 for a little girl with autism, with no prior experience. However, I absolutely LOVED being a TA and had an amazing experience, learning so much and cementing my desire to research in schools.

 I applied for PhD funding again in 2021 and, with experience now on my side, I was successful! I began my PhD in October 2021, researching voluntary activity in small rural primary schools, including the one I had worked in! I continued to work in my student ambassador role, which I had started in my 2nd year of undergrad, and continued to progress to postgraduate ambassador, lead ambassador and outreach tutor. Whilst I absolutely LOVE my PhD, I also loved my outreach work and so in 2024, applied for a job with the University of Kent's outreach team. I was successful and will soon be starting the role of Pre-16 Outreach and Widening Participation Co-ordinator! I do not yet know what the future holds as I balance a full-time job with completing my PhD but Kent has been an extremely supportive environment with incredible people, as have the schools I have worked in. I hope to be able to continue helping children and young people to achieve their dreams in whatever I do next!

What does a typical work day look like for you?

As a PhD student in the writing up stages of their PhD, a typical work day for me is sat in front of my computer! I either work from home or on campus. I take advantage of an online study group formed with fellow PhD student friends spread throughout the UK and an in-person writing group which helps me focus in the afternoons! I also like to go for a walk outside in the afternoons when on campus. I am writing up my findings chapters and conclusion, drawing on the data collected throughout my PhD, re-reading important literature to incorporate, working on articulating my ideas and contributions, and also writing articles for presentations I am giving at conferences in a few months’ time. I can be very flexible in when and how I work and self-direct my writing. However, it can be isolating, which is why connecting with others online and in-person is so important to incorporate into my day.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

For me, having a peer-reviewed article published with Ethnography and Education (https://doi.org/10.1080/17457823.2024.2375258) has been the highlight of my PhD so far.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

Both my undergrad and my Masters were vital in preparing me for my PhD study and having undertaken all three at Kent, I have benefitted from ongoing support from academics and support staff throughout each stage of my academic career. Studying at Kent also gave me the opportunity to work as a student ambassador, without which I could not have applied for and been successful in securing my new position as Pre-16 Outreach and Widening Participation Co-ordinator. I am so grateful to the amazing OWP team who have helped me progress in my outreach career and continue to support my ambitions.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Try things out and get involved as much as you can. I took part in as many different outreach opportunities as I could and it taught me that this was the work I wanted to do. Working as a TA also taught me I do not want to be a teacher... at least not yet! Outreach can be different every day and you get to meet lots of different people.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

Student ambassador, Uni Buddy, Academic Peer Mentor.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

Meeting forever friends and graduating together in Canterbury Cathedral.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent? 

I could have made more effort to get involved in societies. But as a commuting student, it was tricky to fit societies in! 

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Yes, yes, yes! 

What are your future ambitions?

Work with children and young people, helping them to achieve their ambitions, whatever they may be.